Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

This completed early-phase trial tested whether the drug 4-AP (dalfampridine), combined with special nerve stimulation and leg exercises, could improve muscle strength and control in people with spinal cord injury. 26 adults with injuries at or above the lower back took part. The…

This study tested whether a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear, used at home for one hour a day over two weeks, could help improve thinking and memory in people with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. Seven adults took part to see if the treatment was practica…

This small pilot study looked at whether a single yoga-based physical therapy session could improve heart rate variability (a measure of stress resilience) in people with traumatic brain injury. Thirteen adults participated in three different activities on separate days: yoga the…

This study tested a low-cost elastic band device designed to help therapists assist people with spinal cord injury while walking on a treadmill. The device uses rubber bands to help move the legs forward during walking. Nineteen participants with spinal cord injury tried the devi…

This study tested a virtual attention training program for 58 adults with Long-Covid brain fog. The goal was to see if the program is feasible and improves focus and thinking. Participants completed sessions online, and researchers measured attention changes before and after trai…

This study tested a new rehab method for people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago and still have hand weakness and stiffness. The approach combined a drug called cyproheptadine with active movement practice to help improve voluntary muscle control and strength. 96 participan…

This study tested a special video game controlled by muscle signals (EMG) to help people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago improve hand movement. Twenty participants with moderate hand weakness played the game using either one hand or both. The goal was to see if this fun tr…

This small study tested whether a noninvasive electrical stimulation device placed on the skin over the spinal cord could help people who have trouble walking after a stroke. Eight participants received either spinal stimulation plus gait training or gait training alone. The goal…

This study tested a robotic system called Harmony SHR to help people who had a stroke and have trouble moving one or both arms. The robot assists with shoulder and arm movements during rehab. The goal was to see if it is safe, reliable, and helpful for improving arm function. The…

This study tested a new approach to help people with spinal cord injury walk better. Participants received brief sessions of mild low-oxygen air (acute intermittent hypoxia) combined with gentle electrical stimulation on the back, plus walking practice. The goal was to see if thi…

This early-phase study tested whether short bursts of low-oxygen breathing (acute intermittent hypoxia) combined with high-intensity arm training could improve hand and arm function in 58 people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants had injuries between neck levels C1 and…

This study used wearable accelerometers to measure how much and how intensely 15 stroke survivors moved their affected arm during everyday activities and therapy. The goal was to see if arm use improved over time. No treatment was tested; the study only observed and recorded move…

This early study tested whether breathing short bursts of low oxygen (like being on a tall mountain) is safe for people who had a stroke. The idea is that this might trigger the brain to release proteins that help it recover. 16 stroke survivors took part, and the main goal was t…

This study looked at what resilience means for people living with a spinal cord injury. Researchers interviewed 28 adults who had their injury at least one year ago, asking about their experiences and having them fill out surveys. The goal was to find common themes among people a…

This completed study looked at how the brain controls muscles after a spinal cord injury. Researchers tested 120 people with chronic neck-level injuries to measure nerve signals and motor function. The goal was to better understand how to improve hand and arm movement for daily t…

This study tested whether brief sessions of breathing low-oxygen air are safe for people who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twelve adults with mild to moderate TBI received up to four sessions of acute intermittent hypoxia, where oxygen levels were briefly lowered. Rese…